Radiotherapy clinical placement: a perspective from culturally and linguistically diverse students in the UK

Introduction: Radiotherapy (RT) is a crucial part of the multidisciplinary treatment for various oncology sites. Clinical placement is mandatory on pre-registration RT programmes, where students spend 50% of their learning time. Recent research demonstrates that Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) students experience unique challenges during clinical placements. Limited research was found to evaluate the experience of CALD students during RT clinical placements. This study aimed to evaluate the placement experiences of RT CALD students enrolled in pre-registration RT programmes at UK universities. Method: An online Likert-scale survey was developed and sent to all BSc Radiotherapy Professional/Programme Leads at UK Universities via the Society of Radiographers Heads of Radiography Education Group. The programme leads were asked to disseminate the email to all undergraduate students in the programme; it was clearly stated that only international students should respond. Quantitative data were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: 17 CALD students completed the survey. The most common challenges identified were language barriers, cultural differences, isolation and unfamiliarity with the NHS. Some students reported that they had felt discriminated against on placement and typically received support from other CALD students or clinical tutors. Conclusion: Several challenges were observed in this study regarding CALD students enrolled in UK RT programmes. The results indicated the need to develop the cultural competence of clinical staff and educators. However, the small, all-female sample ( n = 17) limits generalisability; further qualitative research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of how CALD students are supported during RT clinical placements.